Relative Clauses
Learn to use Norwegian relative clauses with 'som' (who/which/that) to combine sentences and add information about nouns.
1Introduction to Relative Clauses
Norwegian relative clauses are introduced by "som" (who, which, that). Unlike English, Norwegian uses "som" for all types of relative clauses - people, things, and everything else. The relative pronoun "som" never changes form. In relative clauses, Norwegian word order follows special rules.
Examples
Mannen som bor der, er læreren min.
The man who lives there is my teacher.
som = who (for people)
Boka som jeg leser, er interessant.
The book that I'm reading is interesting.
som = that/which (for things)
Hunden som løper, er min.
The dog that is running is mine.
som for animals too
Filmen som vi så, var god.
The movie that we saw was good.
som for things
2Som as Subject vs. Object
When "som" is the subject of the relative clause, it comes directly before the verb. When "som" is the object, a subject follows it before the verb. Subject: Mannen som jobber her (the man who works here - som does the action) Object: Mannen som jeg kjenner (the man whom I know - I do the action)
Examples
Kvinnen som snakker er min mor.
The woman who is speaking is my mother.
som = subject (she speaks)
Kvinnen som jeg møtte var hyggelig.
The woman whom I met was nice.
som = object (I met her)
Bilen som står der er ny.
The car that is standing there is new.
som = subject
Bilen som han kjøpte var dyr.
The car that he bought was expensive.
som = object
3Omitting 'Som' (When Optional)
In spoken Norwegian, "som" can often be omitted when it's the object of the relative clause. This is similar to English omitting "that" in "the book (that) I read". "Som" as subject can never be omitted - it's essential to the sentence structure.
Examples
Filmen (som) vi så var bra.
The movie (that) we saw was good.
som optional when object
Mannen (som) du snakket med er sjefen.
The man (whom) you talked to is the boss.
som optional (object)
Boka som ligger der er min.
The book that is lying there is mine.
som required (subject)
Alt (som) jeg sa var sant.
Everything (that) I said was true.
som optional with 'alt'
4Prepositions in Relative Clauses
When a relative clause involves a preposition, Norwegian typically places the preposition at the end of the clause (like English can do). The preposition is separated from "som". Pattern: Noun + som + subject + verb + preposition.
Examples
Mannen som jeg snakket med er legen.
The man whom I spoke with is the doctor.
Preposition (med) at end
Huset som vi bor i er gammelt.
The house that we live in is old.
Preposition (i) at end
Stolen som katten sitter på er min.
The chair that the cat is sitting on is mine.
på at end of clause
Byen som hun kommer fra er liten.
The city that she comes from is small.
fra at end
5Word Order in Relative Clauses
In Norwegian relative clauses, the word order is different from main clauses. Negation (ikke) and adverbs come BEFORE the verb in subordinate clauses, not after as in main clauses. Main: Jeg leser ikke boka. Relative: boka som jeg ikke leser (not: som jeg leser ikke)
Examples
Filmen som jeg ikke likte var kjedelig.
The movie that I didn't like was boring.
ikke before verb in relative clause
Mannen som aldri kommer er sjelden hjemme.
The man who never comes is rarely home.
aldri before verb
Maten som hun alltid lager er god.
The food that she always makes is good.
alltid before verb
Boka som jeg ennå ikke har lest.
The book that I still haven't read.
ennå ikke before har